Bath tub fitted with removable panel, center drain and wall sealing means



June Z8, 1966 A. c. FAY

BATH TUB FITTED WITH REMOVABL E PANEL, CENTER DRAIN AND WALL SEALING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 8, 1965 4r rom/EY June 28, A. C. FAY BATH TUB FITTED WITH REMOYABLE PANEL, CENTER DRAIN AND WALL SEALING MEANS 4. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1965 CO m ALD/N c. FAV

INVENTOR,

AfToQA/EY June 28, 1966 A. c. FAY

BATH TUB FITTED WI TH REMOVABLE PANEL. CENTER DRAIN AND WALL SEALING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 8, 1963 INVENTOR.

AHORA/.EY

June 28, 1966 A. c. FAY FITTED WITH REMOVA DRAIN AND WALL S BLE lANEL, CENTER EALING MEANS BATH TUB 4. Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 8 ,4L/.wv C. FAV INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,257,669 BATH TUB IFI'ITED WITH REMOVABLE PANEL, CENIIER DRAIN AND WALL SEALING MEANS Allyn C. Fay, 9 3rd St., Springfield Gardens, N Y. Filed July 8, 1963, der. No. 293,413 4 Claims. (Cl. 4-173) This invention relates to .bath tubs and is particularly directed to bath tubs of the free standing type, that is the tub is independently supported by a plurality of legs.

With the conventional type of bath tub, difficulty has been encountered due to the fact that after the tub is set in -place and the wall areas around 4it tiled, it cannot be removed except at great cost and possibly injury and damages to the tub and tiling after the tub is set in place.

Another problem with the use of the present type of bath tubs is that it is necessary for dealers and manufacturers to stock both left and right-hand tubs in a wide range of colors and finishes, thus sharply increasing inventory costs.

Another problem is that the waste or overflow connection at the upperend of the tub must be accurately aligned with the trap roughing to permit accurate installation of the pop-up Waste unit, or overflow connection.v

The primary object of the invention is to provide a bath tub, which is readily removable so that it can be replaced, if the old tub becomes worn or damaged or to suit a new color scheme, desired by the owner.

Another object is to provide a bath tub fitted with a center drain, thus avoiding the necessity for manu-fac- =turing and stocking left and right-hand drain bath tubs.

Another lobject is to provide a bath tub which is 1ocated above the finished ioor and provided with a flexible connection between the portion of the pop-up waste unit which is attached to the tub and the waste shoe of the waste unit located below the bottom of the tub, thus avoiding the necessity for accurately aligning the tub with the drain portion or waste shoe of the waste unit, or overflow connection.

A primary feature of the bath tub construction is that the entire floor below the bottom of the tub and the walls surrounding the bath tub can be fully. tiled before the tub is set in place, thus avoiding the necessity for tiling in the exposed portion of the tub after it is set in place in the conventional practice, which runs the labor cost of tiling the walls and floors up to an extremely high level.

Another feature of the invention is that a removable front panel is provided, the front panel being removably attached to the tub, thus providing a wide range of colors and finishes after the tub is set in place, without injury or damage to the tub.

A major feature of the construction is that in order to repair or replace the plumbing used in conjunction with the bath tub, the entire tub can be removed and replaced, thus sharply reducing the cost of repairs to the plumbing after the tub is installed.

Another feature is so constructed that expanded metal lath may be attached thereto, so that terrazo, tile, or other surface decorative means may be affixed thereto, thus providing a wide range of finishes for the front panel'of the tub.

Another feature of the construction is that removable sealing means is provided between the rims integral with the walls of the tub, and the finished walls of the room surrounding the tub, thus preventing the leakage of water around the outer surfaces of the walls of the tub to the floor surrounding the tub.

Another feature is that a flexible connection is inserted in the overflow connection or pop-up waste connected to the tub, thus avoiding the necessity for accurately positioning the tub, relative to the drain fitting or trap roughthat the removable panel may be 3,257,669 Patented June 28, 1966 "ice ing, and also accommodating variations and irregularities in the walls, floors and rough waste pipe installations.

A primary feature of the invention, is that the entire tub can be replaced at will, to provide a tub of a different color, finish or texture to suit the requirements and the tastes of the owner, without affecting the tiled walls,

or floors, the plumbing or the connections to the tub in any manner whatever.

The accompanying drawings, illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, and several modifications thereof, together with the description of their construction and the method of operation, mounting, installation and utilization thereof, will serve. to clarify further objects and advantages of the invent-ion.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial front elevation view and partial vertical section through the removable bath tub, showing the removable front panel, and the sealing 'means provided to seal the side Walls of the tub.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bath tub shown in FIG. 1 showing the position of the walls of the tub relative to the finished walls of the room surrounding the tub, the llocation of the removable panel relative to the front wall of the tub, the brackets supporting the removable panel, and the seal member located adjacent the inner surfaces of the finished walls surrounding the tub, and the location of the pop-up waste fitting relative to the walls ofthe tub. I

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the bath tub shown in FIG. 1 showing the method of attaching the removable panel to the front wall of the tub, and the brackets supporting the lower end of the removable panel, also showing the pop-up waste connection and fittings with la flexible tubular line connecting the upper portion to the lower or drain portion thereof, the section being taken on the line 3-3, FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through a portion of the seal moulding attached to the finished walls surrounding the rims integral with the walls of the tub, as shown in FIGS. l and 3, the section being taken on j the line 4 4, FIG. 2.

porting and controlling a seal weight located at the lower end of a link.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a portion of one of the brackets used to support the remov able panel, shown in FIG. l, showing one of the studs used to suport the removable panel, the view being taken on the l-ine 6-6, FIG. 3. A Y

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section through one of the panel support studs shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the section being taken on the line '7-7, FIG. 6.

It will be understood that the following description of the construction and the method of installation and mounting of the Removable Bath Tub Fitted with Removable Panel and Center Drain, is intended as explanatory of the invention land not restrictive thereof.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the various views, except where otherwise indicated.

One embodiment of the construction, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is directed to a set-in type of bath tub of the stand up type, which is deep drawn of heavy gage sheet metal, the tub having .a front and a rear wall 10 and 11, a pair of side walls I2, 1d of arcuate form, which are integral with and directly connected to the front and rear walls,

and a bottom wall, which is integral with the front, rear and side walls, the bottom wall being formed of two integral sections 15, 16, which are sloped toward the center drain, which is shown in FIGS. l and 2, and hereinafter described in greater detail.

The tub is supported by a plurality of legs 17, 18, which are shown in FIGS. l and 3, the legs extending from the bottom wall 15, 16, of the tub to the finished floor 20, which is located below the bottom wall of the tub.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end of the front ,and rear walls, each has a narrow ledge 22, 23 integral therewith, the ledges extending outward from the front and rear walls respectively, the rear ledge having a relatively shallow rim 24, integral with the outer end thereof, the rim being substantially parallel to the corresponding -rear finished wall of the room in which the tub is mounted', as shown in FIG. 3. The rear rim 24 is located a short distance from the rear finished Iwall 27 of the room in which the tub is located.

As shown in FIGS. l and 2, the upper end of each of the side walls 12, 14 of the tub has a similar ledge 28, 29 integral therewith, and extending outward therefrom, the side ledges being substantially vertically `aligned with the front and rear ledges 22, 23. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the side ledges 28, 29 is wider than the front and rear ledges, the outer edge of each of the side ledges being substantially straight, and terminating in a straight substantially vertical rim 30, 31, which is integral with the outer edge of the ledge. As shown in FIG. l, the height of the side rims 30, 31 is substantially equal to the height of the rear rim 24.

y Each of the side rims is located a short distance from the corresponding finished side wall 33, 34, of the room in which the bath tub is mounted, the side walls 33, 34 being substantially perpendicular to the finished rear wall 27.

The spacing between the finished side walls 33, 34 is somewhat greater than the spacing between the side rims to provide the gaps hereinbefore dscribed.

As shown in FIGS. l and 3, a removable apron or panel 36 is attached to the lower end of a substantially vertical front flange 37, which is integral with the front ledge 22 and substantially perpendicular thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the removable panel is supported by a support section 39, located at the lower end of an auxiliary front flange 40, which is substantially parallel to, and located somewhat behind the front flange 37, the support section being of substantially semi-circular or other arcuate cross-section, as shown in FIG. 3.

The upper end of the removable panel has a hanging section 41, of semi-circular, or other arcuate cross-sectional contour integral therewith, the hanging section 41 fitting into and being removably supported by the support section 39 of the auxiliary fiange 40.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the lower end of the removable front panel 36 is supported by a plurality of brackets 42, 43, which are attached to the front wall 1t), and the bottoni wall 15, 16 of the tub respectively.

Each of the brackets 42, 43 comprises an upper section 44, with a flange 45 integral with and projecting upward from the upper section, the flange 45 being attached to the front wall 10 of the tub by welding, brazing, or other suitable means, and a lower section 46, integral with the upper section, and spacedly located relative thereto, the sloping rear portion 47 of the lower section having a flange 48 integral therewith, the flange being attached to the bottom wall 15, 16 of the tub by welding, brazing, or other suitable attaching means. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a front section 50, which is integral with the upper `and lower sections, is located adjacent the rear face of the removable front panel 36, the front section having a substantially circular opening therethrough to receive a substantially cylindrical stud 52, which is attached to the rear face of the removable panel by welding, brazing or '73 engaging the upper and lower edges of other suitable attaching means. The forward edge of each of the studs is of spherical segmental, or other arcuate cross-sectional contour, to facilitate insertion through the opening through the front section 50 of the corresponding bracket.

Each of the studs 52, has a pair of plungers 54, 54a inserted through an opening therethrough, each of the plungers having a circular shoulder 56 integral with the inner end thereof, the shoulders retaining the plungers 54, 54a within the stud 52. Each of the studs 52 would be split along its longitudinal axis to facilitate insertion of the plungers 54, 54a, the split sections being soldered, brazed, or attached to one another by other suitable means, after the plungers 54, 54a are inserted therein.

As shown in FIG. 7, a coiled compression spring 57 is inserted between the shoulders of the two plungers 54, 54a, to retain the plungers in the outer position Shown in FIG. 7. When the plungers 54, 54a are inserted through the opening in the front section of the bracket 42, 43, the spring 57 is compressed, thereby allowing the extreme outer edges of the plungers to pass through an opening in the front section of the bracket 42, 43, which is slightly larger than the diameter of the stud 52.

In place of the studs 52, .a plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) may be attached to the inner surface of the removable panel, the magnets magnetically gripping the front sections of the brackets 42, 43, thereby supporting the front panel, thus replacing the plungers 54, 54a.

Even though the tub is equipped with a removable front panel, the entire tub can be deep drawn in one piece of a heavy gage sheet steel or a similar sheet material.

In order to seal the finished rear wall 27 and the two finished side walls 33, 34, relative to the mating rims 24, 30, 31 of the tub, a sealing moulding 59, 60, 61 is attached to each of the finished walls 27, 33, 34 in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the sealing mouldings comprises a pair of substantially cylindrical seal packings 62, 63, which are formed of a compressible plastic material, or other suitable compressible material, the upper packing being pressed against the outer face of the respective finished walls 27, 33, 34 of the room, and the lower packing responding rim 24, 30, 31 of of the finished wall, and the corresponding surface of the rim 24, '30, 31 tof the tub. The two packings are pressed against the outer surface of the finished wall 27, 33, 34, and the corresponding surface of the rim 24, 30, 31 of the tub by a long plate bracket 65, formed of sheet steel, or other suitable sheet material, each bracket having a pair of clamping ends 66, 67, of arcuate cross-sectional therewith, ting over the mating surfaces of the packings A62, 63 to force the packings against the finished wall 27, 33, 34 and the corresponding surface of the rim 24, 30, 31 of the tub. An angularly positioned central section 64, which is integral with and connects the t'wo clamping ends 66, 67 of each bracket, is located between the clamping ends 66, 67, the central section having a plurality of countersunk openings '70 therethrough, each of the countersunk openings being operative to receive the body of a wood screw 68, or other suitable type of attaching which is inserted through the opening, the sloping of the screw fitting into the countersunk portion of th'e opening 70 through the bracket.

In order to cover the heads of the wood screws 68, a long closure member 71 of arcuate cross-sectional contour is tted to each of the brackets. A plurality of pairs of prongs 72, 73, integral with each of the brackets, is punched out of each of the brackets, the prongs 72,

the outer surface of the longitudinal closure member to return the closure member in engagement with the corresponding faces of the bracket.

In order to provide a center drain for the tub, to avoid the necessity for using left and right-hand tubs respectively, a drain opening is cut through the bottom wall ofthe tube at the junction between vthe two sloping sections l5, 16 thereof, a waste shoe 75, such as that shown in FIG. 3, being attached to the bottom wall of the tub, the waste shoe being connected by a pipe 76, to a Tfitting 77, which forms part of the overliow connection to the tub, a pipe 78 leading from the lower end of the fitting 77 being connected directly to the trap roughing, which extends below the finished floor 20.

The overflow connection or pop-up Waste, shown in detail in FIG. 5, consists of an overliow plate 79, which is fitted to the inner surface of the rear wall of the tub, at a height determined by the maximum water level of the tub, a pivoted control lever 80 being provided at the forward face of the overfiow plate to facilitate opening and closing the overfiow connection, or pop-up waste.

An angle, or other type of fitting 82 having a flange 83 integral therewith, is-attach'ed to the outer surface of the rear wall ll of the tub in nominal alignment with the overflow plate 79 of the overfiow connection or pop-up waste. The outer portion of the angle fitting is connected by a fiexible tube 84 to the upper leg of the T-fitting 77 which is connected to the trap roughing 73. The flexible tube 84 has tubular ferrules '85, 86 attached to each of the ends thereof, the ferrules connecting the flexible tube to a pipe leading from the lower -leg of the angle fitting 82, and a second pipe or tail piece leading to the upper leg of the T-shaped fitting, located at the bottom, which leads to the trap roughing.

The flexible connection in the overflow line facilitates installing the tub in installations in which the drain opening at the center of the bottom wall of the tub is cut of alignment with the roughing location of the fixture trap, which is located below the bottom of the tub.

The `overfiow connection or pop-up waste, is controlled by the offset arm 37 of a pivoted trip lever, the central arm 88 of which is attached to the pivoted control lever 89 shown in FIG. 5.

The offset arm is connected by a multiple section link, or chain 89 to a seal weight 9%), which is located at the bottom of the links, or chain and attached thereto, the seal weight fitting into a frusto-conical or other form of valve seat 91 formed in the interior of the T-shaped fitting, which is located at the bottom of the overow connection.

By using a flexible tubular section as part of the overfiow connection or popup waste, the connection between the upper end of the links S9 and the upper arm of the pivoted trip lever is fiexible to a certain extent, so that the links 89 supporting the weight 90 are located in a substantially vertical position relative to the weight 90,- thus enabling the weight to b'e seated in its seat, thereby shutting off the tub drain, regardless of the relation between the angle fitting at the upper end of the overflow connection, and the T-fitting, which is located at the bottom of the pop-up waste connection.

The overflow plate '79 of the overflow connection, can be as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, or other type of overflow plate 79 can be substituted thereafter.

After the overflow plate is removed, the entire trip lever control mechanism, and the overfiow connections shown in FIG. 5, can be replaced.

The construction is directed primarily to a free standing type of tub, which is supported by a ledge at the front, and legs located at the rear of the tub.

The flexible tube inserted between the overflow plate and the drain fitting at the bottom of the overfiow connection provides an adjustment between the location of the trap roughing leading to the room in which the tub is mounted, and the overflow opening at the center of the rear wall of the tub, thus allowing the overfiow connection to take up any misalignment between the tub and-the trap roughing.

The weight shown in FIG. 5, which is located at the bottom of the overow drain control mechanism will be shortened and probably weighted for use with a lieXible tube such as that shown in FIG. 5.

Before the tub 'is installed, the walls of the room surrounding the tub, and-the lioor located below the tub, are completely tiled, thus avoiding any necessity for tiling or finishing, after the tub is in place.

The bottom wall of the tub shown in FIGS. l and 3, is located a distance of 3 to 31/2 inches above the finished floor line, thus enabling drain connections and other connections to the tub to be made after the tub is in place.

The removable panel 36, shown in FIGS l and 3, can readily he replaced, thus enabling the owner to replace the panel, with a panel of another color, or finish, to accommodate variations in taste.

A removable decorated panel, or other type of panel may be inserted in the removable panel, thus providing a Wider range of decorative surfaces and finishes than is normally obtainable.

A wide range of panel removable panel. These include:

(l) The panel can be finished in the same color as the tub, or in contrasting color.

(2) The outer surface of the removable panel can be faced with expanded metal lath, which is spot welded to the panel, so that tile or other type of finishes can be applied to the outer surface of the panel.

(3) The removable panel can be made of a plastic or other non-metallic material, so that decorative effects of various types can be applied directly to the removable panel.

The entire tub is removable, thus enabling repairs to piping connections the tub removed, after which the tub can be replaced and the final connections made.

Where a leak develops in the `drain pipe, the trap roughing, or other part of the system, the entire tub can be removed, a new drain pipe or trap roughing installed, and the tub replaced in its initial position, in a relatively short time interval.

The center drain shown in FIGS. l and 2, avoids the finishes can be provided in the necessity for stocking left and right-hand tubs in the various sizes required.

A narrow space equal to approximately a finger width is provided at both ends of the removable panel between the removable panel and the finished side walls 33, 34 of the room in which the tub is installed, thus enabling the removable panel to be installed and removed after the tub is in place.

In the construction shown in FIGS. l and 2, and hereinbefore described, the entire tub can be installed after the fioor, and the walls surrounding the tub are fully tiled or otherwise finished. The tub can also be removed and replaced without damage or injury to the tiled surfaces of the wall or the floor.

In order to cover the finger spaces at both ends of the removable panel 36 and to provide a water seal between the ends of the yre-movable panel and the side walls 33, 34, located near the ends of the removable panel, an additional seal moulding, similar to that shown in FIG. 4, wouldbe provided at each end of the removable panel, between the end of the removable panel and adjacent side wall. Each of these seal mouldings consists of a pair of substantially cylindrical packings, one of which would be located adjacent the side wall 33, 34 and the other adjacent the outer face of the removable panel 36. The two packings are pressed against the outer surface of the side wall, andthe adjacent portion of the outer face of the removable panel by a long plate bracket, similar to that shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, each bracket having a pair of clamping ends of arcuate contour integral therewith,

and other plumbing to be made with the arcuate ends of each plate bracket fitting over the mating surfaces of the packings to force the packings against the side wall and the outer surface of the panel 36 respectively. The angularly positioned central section of the bracket is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4, the central section having a plurality of countersunk openings 70 therethrough, a wood screw or other type of countersunk-headed screw being inserted through each opening, the screw being threadably fitted to the side wall 33, 34, the head of the screw fitting the countersunk opening 70.

In order to cover the heads of the screws, a long closure member, of arcuate cross-sectional contour, substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 4, is fitted to each of the brackets. A plurality of pairs of prongs, as shown in FIG. 4, is integral with each of the brackets, the prongs being punched out of the brackets in the same manner. The prongs engage the adjoining faces of the outer surface of the longitudinal closure member to retain the closure member in engagement with the corresponding faces of the bracket. In all other respects, each of the sealing mouldings would be substantially the same as those shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 and hereinbefore described.

By making the tub removable, the cost of finishing the walls, surrounding the tub and the floor under the tub is sharply reduced, as these walls and floor surfaces are tiled and finished completely before the tub is set in place, thus sharply reducing the overall cost of installation of the tub.

The sealing strips or mouldings provided in conjunction with the longitudinal and side edges of the tub, located near the finished wall surfaces, provide positive water tight seals, regardless of the relation between each edge of the tub, and the coresponding surface of the finished Wall, near which the tub is mounted.

The center drain provided in the tub shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, avoids the necessity for manufacturing and stocking left and right-hand tubs, as now required.

The bottom of the tub is located high enough above the fioor to enable necessary plumbing and piping connections to be made to the tub, after the fioor is fully tiled and the tub installed, as all of these connections are located above the finished floor line between the surface of the finished floor and the bottom of the tub. The horizontal section of the drain pipe is also located above the finished Hoor.

The removable front panel, shown in FIGS. l and 3, allow a wide range of color schemes and decorative effects to be used with the same basic tub, the panel changes being readily effected by means of the upper and lower connections between the panel and the tub. Space is provided between the finished side walls and the side edges of the removable panel to enable the removable panel to be installed or removed without disturbing the tub.

In the construction hereinbefore described, the entire pop-up waste mechanism can be removed from the tub by removing two or more screws supporting the overflow plate, after which the balance of the overflow mechanism is readily removable.

The fiexible seamless tube connection leading from the overflow connection to the trap roughing, allows for the normal irregularities and misalignments encountered in bath tub installations, thus avoiding the necessity for installing special pipes or moving or expanding holes through which the pipes are installed.

In the final analysis, the removable tub, with the removable decorative panel attached thereto, allows the entire tub, or the panel attached thereto to be removed and replaced, thus providing a wide range of finishes, colors and other combinations, to suit the taste of the person owning the tub and the various members of his family.

After the tub is installe-d, if a leak develops in the trap roughing, or other piping connection to the tub, the entire tub can be removed, a new drain pipe or trap roughing, or section thereof installed, and the bath tub replaced in its initial position.

In order to install the fiexible tube in the overfiow connection shown in FIG. 5, the seal weight at the bottom may be weighted, and the overall length of the links or chain supporting it adjusted to some extent to provide for variations in position due to the fiexible tube insert used.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the specific details described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications are possible in carrying out the features of the invention and the method of mounting, installation and utilization thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a leg-supported bathtub having upper marginal edge portions defining an upper periphery, generally disposed in use free of the walls of a bathroom, the improvement which comprises means to convert the appearance of said leg-supported bathtub to the appearance of a kbuilt-in bathtub comprising an apron supported on said bathtub defining a front wall on said bathtub, detachable sealing molding means positionable in use on selected ones of said marginal edge portions in sealing relationship thereon and bearing on finished walls disposed peripherally of .said bathtub, and said sealing molding means being disposed in use in sealing relationship with said walls, said sealing molding means comprising a longitudinal member located in use extending longitudinally along a rear marginal edge portion which defines a rear upper periphery of said bathtub and having compressible means bearing on said rear marginal edge portion and bearing on a wall adjacent said rear marginal edge portion, -means removably mounting said membe-r with said compressible means effecting substantially liquid-tight seals between said Wall and said rear marginal edge portion of said bathtub, other longitudinal members located in use extending longitudinally along end marginal edge portions of said bathtub which define end upper peripheries of said bathtub and each having compressible means bearing on respective end marginal edge portions of said bathtub and on walls adjacent respective end upper peripheries of said bathtub, and means removably mounting each of said other longitudinal members with said compressible means thereof effecting substantially liquid-tight means between said walls adjacent said end upper peripheries and said end marginal edge portions defining said end upper peripheries of said bathtub, whereby said leg-supported bathtub is completely converted in appearance to a built-in bathtub.

2. A combination according to claim 1, in which said bathtub comprises means defining a centrally disposed drain.

3. In combination, a leg-supported bathtub having marginal edge portions defining an upper periphery generally disposed in use free of the walls of a bathroom, a detachable apron supported on said bathtub in use on said bathtub defining a front wall on said bathtub so that said bathtub has the appearance of a built-in bathtub, and detachable sealing molding means positioned in use in sealing relationship on marginal edge portions defining said upper periphery corresponding to a rear periphery and end peripheries of said bathtub and disposed in use bearing on finished wall means of a bathroom and in sealing relationship therewith, said sealing molding means comprising a longitudinal member located in use extending longitudinally along a rear marginal edge portion which defines said rear periphery of said bathtub and having compressible means bearing on said rear marginal edge portion and bearing `on a wall adjacent said rear marginal edge portion, means removably mounting said member with said compressible means effecting substantially liquid-tight seals between said wall and said rear marginal edge portion of said bathtub, other longitudinal members located in use extending longitudinally along end marginal edge portions of said bathtub which define said end peripheries of said bathtub and each having compressible means bearing on respective end marginal edge portions of said bathtuband on Walls adjacent respec-tive end peripheries of said bathtub, and means removably mounting each of said other longitudinal members with said compressible means thereof effecting substantially liquid-tight means between said Wallis adjacent said end peripheries `and said end marginal edge portions defining said end peripheries of said bathtub whereby said leg-supported bathtub is completely converted in appearance to a built-in bathtub.

4. The combination according to olairn 3, in which said bathtub comprises means defining a centrally disposed drain.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Allingham 4-199 Darling 4-199 Reasor 20--74 lRodman 4-173 Pelicano 4-17'3 Cooper 4-206 Rodman 4-173 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. H. GROSS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A LEG-SUPPORTED BATHTUB HAVING UPPER MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS DEFINING AN UPPER PERIPHERY, GENERALLY DISPOSED IN USE FREE OF THE WALLS OF A BATHROOM, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES MEANS TO CONVERT THE APPEARANCE OF SAID LEG-SUPPORTED BATHTUB TO THE APPEARANCE OF A BUILT-IN BATHTUB COMPRISING AN APRON SUPPORTED ON SAID BATHTUB DEFINING A FRONT WALL ON SAID BATHTUB, DETACHABLE SEALING MOLDING MEANS POSITIONABLE IN USE ON SELECTED ONES OF SAID MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS IN SEALING RELATIONSHIP THEREON AND BEARING ON FINISHED WALLS DISPOSED PERIPHERALLY OF SAID BATHTUB, AND SAID SEALING MOLDING MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN USE IN SEALING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID WALLS, SAID SEALING MOLDING MEANS COMPRISING A LONGITUDINAL MEMBER LOCATED IN USE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG A REAR MARGINAL EDGE PORTION WHICH DEFINES A REAR UPPER PERIPHERY OF SAID BATHTUB AND HAVING COMPRESSIBLE MEANS BEARING ON SAID REAR MARGINAL EDGE PORTION AND BEARING ON A WALL ADJACENT SAID REAR MARGINAL EDGE PORTION, MEANS REMOVABLY MOUNTING SAID MEMBER WITH SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEANS EFFECTING SUBSTANTIALLY LIQUID-TIGHT SEALS BETWEEN SAID WALL AND SAID REAR MARGINAL EDGE PORTION OF SAID BATHTUB, OTHER LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS LOCATED IN USE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG AN END MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID BATHTUB WHICH DEFINES END UPPER PERIPHERIES OF SAID BATHTUB AND EACH HAVING COMPRESSIBLE MEANS BEARING ON RESPECTIVE END MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF SAID BATHTUB AND ON WALLS ADJACENT RESPECTIVE END UPPER PERIPHERIES OF SAID BATHTUB, AND MEANS REMOVABLY MOUNTING EACH OF SAID OTHER LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS WITH SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEANS THEREOF EFFECTING SUBSTANTIALLY LIQUID-TIGHT MEANS BETWEEN SAID WALLS ADJACENT SAID END UPPER PERIPHERIES AND SAID END MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS DEFINING SAID END UPPER PERIPHERIES OF SAID BATHTUB, WHEREBY SAID LEG-SUPPORTED BATHTUB IS COMPLETELY CONVERTED IN APPEARANCE TO A BUILT-IN BATHTUB. 